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Christmas Day games had major playoff implications around the NFL, thanks to all four of the teams playing holding a spot in the AFC playoffs. The Kansas City Chiefs needed just one victory to lock up home-field advantage in the AFC, and they earned it by defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers in the opener of the Christmas Day doubleheader.
The Steelers have lost the AFC North lead, and the Baltimore Ravens can take over first place in the division with a victory over the Houston Texans in the nightcap. A Ravens loss would give the Steelers back the AFC North lead.
The Texans can even move up to the No. 3 seed with a win over the Ravens, so this showdown with Baltimore is pretty significant for Houston as well.
Below is a breakdown of the conference standings with the Week 17 slate underway:
AFC playoff picture
z — clinched first-round bye
y — clinched division
x — clinched playoff berth
e — eliminated from playoffs
1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1)
The Chiefs wrapped up the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage with their win over the Steelers. Kansas City gets the lone bye in the conference and can rest its starters in Week 18.
Remaining schedule: at Broncos
2. Buffalo Bills (12-3)
The Bills needed the Chiefs to lose out to still have a shot at the No. 1 seed. That didn’t happen, so the Bills need a win in their final two games to lock up the No. 2 seed.
Remaining schedule: vs. Jets, at Patriots
3. Baltimore Ravens (10-5)
The Ravens have taken over the AFC North lead with the Steelers loss. A win against Houston will give Baltimore a one-game lead over Pittsburgh heading into the final week. Pittsburgh has the conference-record tiebreaker over Baltimore, so the Steelers would take over first place in the division if the Ravens lose.
Remaining schedule: at Texans, vs. Browns
4. Houston Texans (9-6)
The Texans have already clinched the AFC South. They will be at least…
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Author : Jeff Kerr
Publish date : 2024-12-25 21:07:00
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